Fiaa Hamilton’s journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a breakout star on TikTok is a testament to resilience, raw talent, and relentless determination. With her debut single “Love War” rapidly climbing to #8 on TikTok’s Pop Hits chart and earning accolades like the Breakthrough Star award, Fiaa’s meteoric rise is anything but conventional. The British singer-songwriter opens up about her inspirations, the pressures of newfound fame, and how her early life in foster care shaped her music and storytelling. In this candid interview, Fiaa shares the highs and lows of her journey, her deep connection with fans, and her mission to inspire others to break barriers and chase their dreams, no matter their background.
When you found out that your debut single ‘Love War’ shot to #8 on TikTok’s Pop Hits chart, what was your initial emotional reaction? Did you anticipate this kind of success?
I was on the phone with my best friend, editing her birthday video, and she was like, “Fi, your track’s going viral on TikTok!” I didn’t believe her at first, so I checked for myself, and I couldn’t believe it! I screamed, jumped on a live stream, and told everyone—we were all hyped! It was all because of that playlist!
Your rise in the music scene has been fast-paced, especially being named one of the top TikTok LIVE creators and winning the Breakthrough Star award. How do you balance the pressure of maintaining this momentum while staying grounded in your creative process?
I’m super grounded. I am always learning and growing, and I have no ego at all. There are so many incredible artists out there who are better than me, and I’m forever grateful that people enjoy my music and choose to invest their time in me. It also comes down to hard work. My determination and resilience are my secret powers—I’ve done a lot of inner work to find that belief.
Your second single, ‘Rivers In The Night,’ conveys a message of bravery and taking risks. What personal experiences inspired the lyrics, “Shoot in the dark and take a chance on your heart”?
I’m a girl who grew up on a council estate in poor conditions and later went into foster care, which leaves you with a lot of stigma and barriers to following your dreams. I’ve taken risks my whole life. You barely see someone from my background pursuing their dreams, and I want to break that mold so more people do. We need more equal chances!
The speed at which you created and released ‘Rivers In The Night’—writing, producing, and flying to Nashville within days—is almost unbelievable. Do you thrive on that kind of spontaneity and pressure? How did you handle it emotionally and logistically?
Haha, no, I hate that kind of pressure! But nothing gets done if you don’t take the risk and do it yourself. I have even more crazy ideas in the pipeline. Memories and creating are the only things we leave in this world when we’re gone—deep, I know, but it’s true! So, I’m here to be creative, raw, real, and make memories! Emotionally, we fear doing this, but there’s a reason my name, Fiaa, sounds like Fear—it’s because my purpose is about breaking that. My whole brand is about that. I truly want to help more people do the same, and I even have plans for future merch that reflects this.
You’ve mentioned your admiration for artists like Lana Del Rey and Amy Winehouse. How do these influences shape your storytelling, and in what ways do you try to distinguish yourself from these icons?
Amy was just Amy—transparent through her heartfelt music and bold personality. Her voice was raw, and she set a benchmark for powerful singers. I was bullied at school for my singing and was called a man because of my deep voice. When Amy hit the charts, kids began to say, “Actually, you’re so good.” Lana, on the other hand, has the most lush energy and visuals—an angelic feel, but her lyrics are the total opposite. The juxtaposition inspires the Gemini in me! Both ladies are incredible storytellers, have unique voices, and possess an old soul in a modern world, which I resonate with.
Your journey began in foster care, and music became your outlet. Can you walk us through that moment when you realized music was not just a passion but a path out of your difficult childhood?
Omg, thank you for this question—you’re making me tear up in a good way! I think it was watching talent shows and seeing that dreams can come true that made me realize I could make a career out of this. I watched an episode of Britain’s Got Talent and researched what happens next for singers and songwriters. I found a bunch of emails for record labels, learned hundreds of songs, and filmed myself singing them. I sent these videos to all the labels I could contact. I was 11 years old, and I still have no idea if anyone saw them—I think I got one reply! That rejection fueled me to get better. I searched for a college course in music, called them up, and found out I needed four GCSEs. So, I went back to school after a year of absence, got the grades, and went on to study. Now I have a first-class honors degree in songwriting and a master’s degree in vocal performance. I’m following my dreams.
How did your time in the foster care system impact your music and storytelling? Do you see it as a source of strength or vulnerability in your artistry?
My time in foster care gave me stability and grounding to follow my dreams, but my storytelling comes from the darker patches of my life. If I hadn’t gone into care, I don’t think I’d be as strong-minded, and my journey would have been more distorted. This understanding and level-headed mindset have given me the capabilities to follow my dreams and see my past as a blessing. Writing about it is my natural way to reflect on it.
Family and friends often play a critical role in the success of an artist. Do you feel supported by your loved ones? How has their support—or lack thereof—impacted your journey so far?
Yes, my mum was the one who brought music into my life. I wrote songs and sang to keep her calm—I was caring for her from the age of 8. I didn’t know how to help her, but I was wise enough to see her energy change when we did music together. I also thank my guardian, Ann, for her unbelievable courage—she inspires me so much and is the first person I call to share any success with. My previous social worker, Sandra, has also been a rock, always telling me, “You can do it.” I also have incredible friends who help with making content, reviewing my songs, planning music video outfits, and coming to my gigs.
You transitioned from being in a girl band to working solo, including a collaboration with Rag’n’Bone Man. What have been the biggest challenges in moving from group dynamics to establishing yourself as an independent artist?
This was super hard. I went from performing on stages of 35,000 people to a pub with just three friends in the space of a month. It’s been a long process to get to this point, but I just kept going—and I still have a long way to go. You have to remember that nothing in life is perfect and allow the process to unfold.
Your daily TikTok LIVE sessions and performances at places like Notting Hill Arts Club are attracting attention. How important is it for you to connect with fans in real-time, and what do you feel when you’re live and engaging directly with your audience?
Fans are the most important part of this. You make music for them! I keep in contact with everyone on social media—they are the ones changing my life. They’re the ones taking a chance on me when no one else in the world has, and I’ll forever make music for them.
In your spare time, when you’re not creating music, what are some things you love to do to recharge and stay inspired?
I sit on my couch with my kitten—he is my whole world. I’ve been taking care of him since December, and I hate leaving him so much that I’ve made a plan for a tour next year that involves him! Stay tuned.
Looking back at where you started—leading music projects for children in care—how does it feel to be in the spotlight now? Do you feel a sense of responsibility to inspire others who may be in similar situations as you were growing up?
I hate the spotlight, but I love helping others succeed. If having a spotlight on me means I can inspire others, then I’ll take it. I’m nothing special, and we can all do this! I have to pinch myself sometimes—I was living rough, running away, and now I’m building an empire. I am forever grateful.
